Ross Barkley is set to join Chelsea for a deal in the region of £15m this weekend.
The Everton midfielder came close to moving south in the summer transfer window but pulled out of a deal to focus on his recovery from injury. Barkley, 24, hasn't played a minute of football for his boyhood club this season and his contract was due to expire in six months' time, meaning he could leave on a Bosman.
But Chelsea were happy to pay to secure his services in January, with Antonio Conte enthused by Barkley's potential.
The England international burst onto the scene as a teenager but his progress somewhat stalled under Ronald Koeman and the writing has been on the wall for him since he turned down a big-money contract offer from the Goodison Park club to remain on Merseyside.
New boss Sam Allardyce has long been resigned to the playmaker's departure and Tottenham were expected to rival Chelsea for Barkley.
But Spurs were not willing to go close to what Barkley will be paid at Stamford Bridge and the deal should be announced this weekend, placating frustrated Blues boss Conte by adding depth to his squad ahead of an assault on the Champions League in 2018.
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